Electricity customers were charged excessive discounts - financial experts advise checking the bill closely.

Electricity customers were charged excessive discounts - financial experts advise checking the bill closely.

According to a report by www.t-online.de, the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) found that many consumers paid too high a discount for their electricity. In an analysis of almost 1,600 consumer reports about the energy price cap, the consumer advocates found that over half (53 percent) had to pay advance payments that were too high. In addition, in a quarter of cases (27 percent) the annual consumption forecast was calculated incorrectly.

The impact of these problems can be serious. On the one hand, consumers are financially burdened because they have to pay excessive discounts. This can lead to financial bottlenecks and put a strain on the household budget. On the other hand, the incorrectly calculated annual consumption forecast indicates a lack of accuracy when calculating individual energy requirements. This can result in consumers either overpaying or underpaying for energy, depending on whether the forecast was overestimated or underestimated.

The vzbv board member, Ramona Pop, calls on the federal government to formulate the price cap law more clearly in order to ensure the desired relief for all consumers. This shows that clear legal regulations are necessary to protect consumers from excessive advance payments.

In addition, it was found that consumers had more problems with their energy supplier if they changed providers on the day the electricity price cap was introduced. This indicates difficulties in the implementation of the new regulations by energy providers, which have an impact on consumers.

In view of these problems and discrepancies, it is advisable to check the electricity bills carefully and, if necessary, contact the consumer advice center of the relevant federal state if the energy supplier does not respond to complaints. Accurately reviewing billing and asserting claims is important to protect consumer rights.

The vzbv analysis shows that reforms in the energy market are necessary to protect consumers from excessive discounts and incorrect forecasts. Clear legal regulations and better implementation by energy providers are crucial to ensuring a fair and consumer-friendly energy market.